Southwest/Spring Valley 2014 preview

By CAITLYN BELCHERView Staff Writer

View Neighborhood Newpapers takes a look at what’s in store for southwest Las Vegas in 2014:

JOB PROGRAM AT BONANZA HIGH SCHOOL

About 40 Bonanza High School students were recognized last May after completing a pilot program called Jobs for America’s Graduates, or JAG, a nationwide initiative that helps juniors and seniors graduate on time and secure a job.

Because of its success, the program is set to roll out at the school, 6665 Del Rey Ave., in January with 35 to 40 students, according to assistant principal Roger West.

“We identified 22 juniors who were in the program last year and carried them over into this year as seniors,” West said. “Although the school district didn’t have an official class (at the beginning of the year), we kept the students together to continue to teach them life skills, have study hall and prepare them for college.”

About 15 more juniors are expected to join the class in the second semester, which will incorporate a blended-learning model of online and in-person instruction through the district’s Virtual High School.

“Three times a week, (the students) are going to go to the computer and access the curriculum online,” West said. “One day a week, the teachers from the Virtual High School will come out and help kids and answer questions, and one day a week they’ll interact with one of our own staff members.”

According to West, the students are selected based on their level of income and graduation status.

“They have to have some level of poverty or a low income, but they don’t have to be doing poorly in school,” West said. “They should be somewhat on track to graduate. They shouldn’t be a junior with only five credits. This isn’t a rescue program.

“The goal is to have 25 percent of the students be high achievers, 50 percent average students and 25 percent who are missing some credits or haven’t passed their proficiencies.”

West said the students have shown great progress from little resources such as tutoring and mentoring.

“Children who are from middle- or upper-class families sometimes know how to play the game already,” West said. “This is to help those who don’t have easy access to these resources. These are the kids that could really benefit from a job to help support their family.”

NEW ACUTE CARE FACILITY

A new acute care facility at 8656 W. Patrick Lane is expected to be completed by the end of 2014, according to a Clark County official.

The facility is set to cover about 66,000 square feet on a 5-acre lot. It is expected to offer 130 patient rooms, respiratory therapy, rehabilitation therapy, CT scans and dialysis treatments, according to land use documents submitted to the county.

Clark County commissioners approved the land use application Oct. 3, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held Oct. 23.

The project is expected to create 300 medical jobs, according to the documents.

CHANGES TO WET ‘N’ WILD

After a successful first season, Wet ‘n’ Wild announced changes for its second.

General manager Takuya Ohki said the park is set to offer VIP passes that include free parking, five tube rentals, retail discounts, an Xpress Band that will allow the guest to wait in lines virtually and one free guest ticket per month.

Other changes to the park include more late-night operating hours, additional shaded areas and lounge chairs, an early entry option for Gold and VIP pass holders and more parking off Maule Avenue and Pearland Street.

Passes for 2014 are now on sale. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit wetnwildlasvegas.com.

PARK DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Clark County Parks and Recreation is set to design two parks and complete construction of three others in the southwest and Spring Valley areas.

The Desert Breeze Community Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road, is expected to add solar panels. The project is set to cost about $410,000, according to principal management analyst Jim Foreman.

Paul Meyer Park, 4525 New Forest Drive, is set to receive new restrooms and a renovated parking lot by May. Both projects are set to cost about $856,000, Foreman said.

Phase one of Mountain’s Edge Regional Park, 7929 Mountains Edge Parkway, is set to be constructed this year. The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act is expected to provide up to $8.5 million in funding.

Foreman said phase one “will include group and individual picnic pavilions, trails, exercise equipment, a playground, lit multi-use fields, a sports wall, restrooms, a bike town for kids to ride their bikes and a meditation garden.”

The county plans to design the Southwest Regional Sports Park, near Cimarron and Robindale roads, that is set to include a $9.2 million soccer complex, according to Foreman.

Designs for a park on the Southwest Ridge, also known as Gypsum Ridge, are also scheduled for this year. Foreman said the $1.6 million park, near Town Center and Mesa Park drives, is set to include a 1-mile trail, restrooms and picnic pavilions.

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